HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance September 16 20141
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Finance and Administrative Services Committee
September 16, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Sam Crawford called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. in the
Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
ROLL CALL
(11: 06:36 AM)
Present: Sam Crawford, Rud Browne and Barry Buchanan.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Pete Kremen, Barbara Brenner, Ken Mann and Carl Weimer.
EXECUTIVE REPORTS
Jack Louws, County Executive, updated the Committee on the following items:
• An update on his development of the 2014 -2015 County budget.
• An upcoming WSAC legislative steering committee meeting.
• Upcoming discussion with the Council about a new contract for the
correctional facility contractor.
• Upcoming discussion with the Council about potential renovations to the State
Street annex.
• The upcoming telecommunications contract before the Council.
(Discussion of Executive Reports continues later in the meeting.)
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ICON ENTERPRISES, INC.
(D /B /A CIVICPLUS), FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO REDESIGN AND
MIGRATE THE MAIN WHATCOM COUNTY WEBSITE TO THEIR HOSTED WEB
CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THE AMOUNT OF $143,840 (AB2014-
293)
Jack Louws, County Executive, introduced this item and the County staff who are
working on this project. Staff unanimously recommends that CivicPlus be chosen for the
website update project.
Perry Rice, Administrative Services Department, introduced the CivicPlus contractor.
Danny Elmore, CivicPlus, submitted and read from a presentation (on file). He
described the background and experience of CivicPlus.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/16/2014, Page 1
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Buchanan asked if the scope of work includes a live streaming option of Council
meetings. Elmore stated it does.
Rice stated the capability is available, but that is a separate module.
Browne asked and there was discussion about hosting location and disaster recovery.
Mann asked and there was discussion about cyber security issues and potential for
hacking confidential information.
Kremen asked and there was discussion about the stability of telecommunications
companies in the event of a disaster.
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Mann asked if this system will still allow people to pay property taxes with their
credit cards. His number one goal is to not get hacked and lose personal and credit card
information. Rice stated they will be able to allow credit card payments. Those protections
are with the credit card payment companies.
Crawford stated the media are concerned about accessing information. Engage the
local media to allow their access. Also, develop feedback mechanisms so that email is an
alternative to filling out a form.
Browne asked and there was discussion about plain language initiatives.
Louws described what the costs will pay for. Whatcom County will continue to decide
what is going to be on the website. He needs Council approval to launch the new website
next year. In year two or three, they can integrate new models and continue to link with
the citizens.
Brenner asked if people will be able to submit Freedom of Information Act forms
online. Elmore stated they will.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
EXECUTIVE REPORTS
(Discussion continued from the beginning of the meeting.)
Brenner asked and there was discussion about using real estate excise tax (REET)
funds for capital improvements in the water action plan.
COUNCIL "CONSENT AGENDA" ITEMS
1. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND TED
SELLERS FOR THE SILVER LAKE APARTMENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $670 PER
MONTH (AB2014 -290)
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/16/2014, Page 2
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Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about determining the rental amount.
Mike McFarlane, Parks and Recreation Department Director, answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND THRIVE BY FIVE
WASHINGTON TO IMPLEMENT THE NURSE - FAMILY PARTNERSHIP (NFP)
PROGRAM, IN THE AMOUNT OF $176,799 (AB2014 -291) (11:45:52 AM)
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Browne stated this is very important.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about how they can target Hispanic
populations and also maintain non - discrimination requirements.
Judy Ziels, Health Department, answered questions.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
3. REQUEST AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND ELEMENT SOLUTIONS TO
SATISFY MINERAL RESOURCE ACTION PLAN ITEM #10 OF THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH IS TO BUDGET FOR AND UPDATE THE
AGGREGATE RESOURCE INVENTORY STUDY TO DOCUMENT SHORT AND
LONG RANGE AVAILABILITY AND LOCATION OF QUALITY MINERAL
RESOURCES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 (AB2014 -292) (11:48:22 AM)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Crawford stated he encourages the Council to begin this work.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
SPECIAL PRESENTATION — WHATCOM COUNTY BUSINESS
1. INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING FROM CASON VANDRIEL, TRIVAN TRUCK BODY
(AB2014 -132) (11 :49:23 AM)
Dodd Snodgress, Port of Bellingham, introduced Cason VanDriel.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/16/2014, Page 3
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Cason VanDriel, TriVan Truck Body Sales Manager, submitted a presentation (on
file). He described the history of Trivan Truck Body, the types of trucks and equipment they
build, and their international customer base.
Buchanan asked and there was discussion about whether TriVan builds just the shell
or also builds the technical and custom systems.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about how they transport exceptionally
large equipment and whether they have considered building rail cars or recreational
vehicles.
Kremen stated this presentation and the company itself is very impressive, especially
how it's grown.
Jack Louws, County Executive, asked and there was discussion about future
company plans and for suggestions for government to help the company grow, expand, and
prosper in Whatcom County and whether the Bellingham Technical College (BTC) welding
program has been helpful. VanDriel stated their biggest challenge has been finding good
employees. The BTC vocational programs have been helpful.
Snodgrass submitted a handout (on file) and stated October 23 is national
manufacturing day. He described their efforts to get younger people interested in the
manufacturing industries.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
1. DISCUSSION OF OUTREACH OPTIONS FOR THE UPDATE OF THE
COMPREHENSIVE SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN
(AB2014 -266A)
Gary Stoyka, Public Works Department, stated Council asked for options for
additional outreach, which are listed in the staff memo beginning on Council packet page
162. The first two items have little or no cost, and they will begin to implement those two
items. The rest have a cost.
Brenner stated begin with items one through four. She may be convinced about
item five.
Browne asked and there was discussion about informing people about what they can
recycle, how to make recycling more attractive, and keeping recycled items clean. Identify
people who can use the recycled materials within the local community.
Buchanan asked and there was discussion about the costs listed in the memo.
Brenner stated public education must emphasize hazardous waste. Stoyka stated
the fact sheet mailer in item four is about how people can be involved in this update
process.
Brenner stated include recycling information with the information about the update
process.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/16/2014, Page 4
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Weimer stated and there was discussion about asking the public what they want in
the solid waste and recycling program. He's interested in items one, two, and possibly four.
He asked if the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) can do any of this, rather than the
consultant.
Browne stated he supports items two, three, and four. He asked and there was
discussion of how to identify all available options for recycling materials.
Crawford asked and there was discussion about creating a specific website for SWAC
as part of the new County website. Do a little better in telling people specifically what they
can recycle and where.
Brenner asked and there was discussion about solid waste services moving to the
Health Department.
Crawford stated he's not excited about doing anything that has an added cost.
Jack Louws, County Executive, stated allow the Health Department to look at all of
these options and develop a website. Decide later if they need to approve the other items.
Weimer stated solid waste contractors used to have a contract requirement to
include informational mailers with their bills. That could be done again.
Browne stated identify what types of waste are produced, identify the options that
exist to reuse or recycle that waste, and invite community participation to identify
improvements. He supports item three regarding the website. The server is helpful.
COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. REQUEST APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT BETWEEN WHATCOM COUNTY AND VAN NESS
FELDMAN, LLP, TO PROVIDE LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN GROWTH MANAGEMENT
HEARINGS BOARD CASES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000, FOR A TOTAL
AMENDED CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF $140,000 (AB2014 -136A)
(12:39 :00 PM)
Karen Frakes, Prosecutor's Office, gave a staff report. The budget has already been
approved.
Buchanan moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Crawford, Browne and Buchanan (3)
Nays: None (0)
2. REQUEST APPROVAL OF AN INSURANCE POLICY EXTENSION FOR THE
WHATCOM CHIEF FERRY (AB2014 -289) (12 :41 :34 PM)
Browne moved to recommend approval to the full Council.
Frank Abart, Public Works Department Director, gave a staff report.
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/16/2014, Page 5
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OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 12:43 p.m.
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Sam Crawford, Committee Chair
Finance and Administrative Services Committee, 9/16/2014, Page 6